I Just Blue Myself

SPORTING STUDENTS HONOURED AT AWARDS; CANAPÉS DELICIOUS.

Rowing and debating blew away the competition at the Blues Awards last week, with rower Luke Watts and debater Johanna McDavitt claiming the awards for Sportsperson of the Year, and Sports Administrator of the Year respectively.

Maori Sportsperson of the year went to canoe polo player Jordan Aria Housiaux.

The awards, held at the Hunter Chambers last Wednesday night, exist to recognise Victoria students who excel at the
highest level in their chosen sport, while also balancing personal and academic commitments. The first Blue was awarded in 1903.

“At Victoria University we encourage our students to achieve a balance between academic and non-academic life,” said Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh at the awards, “I am very proud that many of our students have taken that on board and have achieved national and international sporting achievement.”

Past winners include All Blacks Victor Vito

and Conrad Smith, and Major League Soccer footballer Simon Elliott.

Representing Vic, Luke Watts placed 2nd in the mens singles at the University Rowing Champs. He also won the under 21 Lightweight double, heavyweight quad and eight at the 2012 Youth Cup regatta in Sydney.

Johanna McDavitt was co-convenor of Australs, the world’s second largest debating tournament, which was held in July this year.

The awards were the second year in a row in which the majority of Blues went to debaters.

Victoria Debating Society President and Blues panel member Udayan Mukherjee said this was a reflection of the relative strength of the society, not of a systematic bias toward the debating society.

Drinks and canapés were served after the ceremony. Recipients who had attended previous years’ ceremonies noted that both the variety and abundance of nibbles was drastically diminished. A number of attendees noted that the miniature burgers were particularly delicious.

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